How do you keep from going crazy when injured?

[gym_mom]

Well despite my best intentions and effort with my PT, my back pain is still being very persistent. This week has been the worst and I'm terrified that my PT will tell me to stop working out for a few weeks. The pain is in my low, low back and accompanied with spasms in the mid back area.

When my back isn't spasming (it did well for almost a month) I kept up with low impact cardio and light weight training. But if I can't do anything I'll go crazy.

To those of you who have previously been sidelined, how did you get through it??

 

[Winter]

Hi,

Well what a mess huh! One that I have been up and down with for years.

First I had back pain for years and the doc's basically said I would have to live with it - I was 23. I finally told my chiropractor that you WILL refer me to a surgeon. I had a huge bulging disk in my lower back so I had surgery. The pain after surgery was terrible for me.

I started walking everyday for as long as I could. This was in 1998 or so. The surgery turned out to be a blessing for many years as I did didn't have back pain every day but occasionally.

In May of 2004 I had a relaps of major issues with my back. I had shots in my back and hip, PT and pain killers. I could not do any exercise but walk. This took 2 months until I could do aerobics again. So this would be around July. Well in August I proceeded to break my foot and I was in a cast for 2 months then when I could start walking it took several months to feel good and to do aerobics. March 05 I was 95%.

So with this whole mess I gained 20 lbs. I am not saying this to scare you but to not do what I did. I couldn't exercise with a broken foot - I could have done upper body and some abs. I did not change my eating habits to reflect my lower needs due to sitting around all the time. I may have increased it a bit due to depression or whatever.

If you can walk then do that. It was very frustrating to me to only do that or nothing but man I wanted to heal so I listen to what the doc said. Some how you have to be patient and get to the bottom of what the heck is going on with your back.

I still have back pain but not often. I sleep with a pillow between by knees and on a memory foam matress topper which has helped a ton.

Be patient and let yourself heal.

Good Luck,
Winter

 

[SRP]

Fortunately my injuries have been short term, but yes, I do go nuts. I've tried to push it before and always regret it. When your body needs to heal, it needs rest, plain and simple. So you just have to bite the bullet and realize that being sidelined is not a bad thing, and that eventually you CAN get back into the shape you want, even if it takes time.

 

[ColleenM]

Let's see: 2 herniated discs and carpal tunnel since 1984 and now PF for 2 years and an old knee injury that flares up.

For years, I would kill myself, overdo it, beat myself up if I didn't work out and end up crying in pain. Finally one day, I found some common sense <VBG> and realized it wasn't helping me. The hardest thing I have learned to do is to give myself a rest if I feel an injury or "flare up" coming on. Take the days I need off, stick to diet plans, and just be patient.

Over time, I've also played around with various exercises/workouts, etc. and found what works for me and what tends to cause a flare up.

Colleen

 

[gym_mom]

Thanks for the input. It's hard to let myself rest when I've worked so hard to get to where I am. I've spent the last 10 months exercising and dieting and have really come a long way. I guess I'm scared that if I stop I'll slip back into my old habits.

I'll follow the PT's orders - whatever they may be. But you can bet I'll be chomping at the bit the whole time.